Undergraduate Research Abroad
Fall 2022 Semester Florence

About the Program

Engage with a local faculty through the Independent Study Project seminar to develop a research question relevant to your field of study and a research plan that takes full advantage as of the unique human and material resources in the host city and country. Considered a High-Impact Educational Practice (HIP), the Undergraduate Research Abroad program is ideal for students looking to develop the knowledge, abilities, and attitudes necessary for professional success and lifelong learning.

Program Structure

CEA’s undergraduate research program includes a personalized research opportunity, an Independent Study Project course and additional elective courses.

The required Independent Study Project (ISP) course is a variable credit course, providing you the flexibility to earn between 1-3 semester credits and has been designed to help you make the most of your research abroad. You will identify the credit option that works best for you during the pre-departure process.

In addition to your ISP course, you will choose 1 CEA language course and 2-4 additional CEA elective course to take from the catalog of course options available to you. The ISP course meets 15-45 contact hours/1-3 credits, language courses meet for 60 contact hours/4 credits, and elective courses meet for 45 contact hours/3 credits. Overall, you may earn 13-16 credits.

The ISP course will meet once weekly for 1 hour each session. Elective courses generally meet 2 times per week, Monday-Thursday. Active learning components required by your courses may be scheduled for Fridays.

Academic Disciplines & Placement Process
You will be asked to submit a letter of recommendation from your academic advisor or faculty and complete a Research Interest Form that will be used in the initial planning for your research placement. We’ll then identify a local faculty member who will provide oversight and guidance in developing a research plan and a set of research questions relevant to your field of study.  

In Florence, the following academic disciplines are available:

• Anthropology
• Art History
• Cultural Studies
• Gender Studies
• History
• Italian Studies & Language Acquisition
• Sociology

You will automatically be enrolled in the Independent Study Project course upon acceptance into the program. Prior to departure, you will select your preferred courses and indicate your estimated Italian language level. After you arrive in Florence, you'll take a language placement exam to determine final placement. You will be enrolled into courses based on their availability. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home college or university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. To ensure that you receive credit for the language level you place into, we ask that you have your home school pre-approve courses at several levels before you leave for Italy. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home institution on credit pre-approval guidelines.

Excursions

Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs*. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.

Pisa & Lucca

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Everyone knows of Pisa for its famous leaning tower.  But do you know why that tower was built?  It’s the belltower of this medieval port town’s breathtaking cathedral complex, and there’s so much to learn about it and the buildings that accompany it.  After a visit to Pisa, we’ll move on to Lucca: a beautiful and peaceful Tuscan town that dares you to slow down for the day.

Ravenna

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Originally a port town, Ravenna was a crossroads of western and eastern peoples and art for nearly 300 years as an important political center of the late Roman Empire. Public and private structures built during this time were decorated with mosaics that will make you catch your breath. This off-the-beaten-path visit will include a guided tour of these gorgeous monuments and a delicious local lunch.

Bologna

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Bologna is best known for its medieval towers, porticoed streets, and hearty cuisine. It’s also home to Europe’s oldest university, founded in 1088. We will tour the university’s main historical building and its Anatomical Theater, where autopsies were once performed to train early doctors. We will treat you to a group lunch before you have time to explore Bologna on your own.

Siena

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One of Italy’s most picturesque and international medieval cities, Siena is home to well-preserved Gothic architecture and is the birthplace of one of Italy’s patron saints. Siena may be best known for its annual summer horse races, whose origins go back to the 1300s (Think the horseracing scene in James Bond’s Quantum of Solace.)